Protesters have blamed DTE Energy for shutting off power to residents who can't afford to pay utility bills, which leads to these actions. DTE Energy, on the other hand, is working to minimize utility theft.

The Michigan Messenger and The Detroit News report that the energy company is working with legislators to enforce stricter penalties for power thieves. On Thursday, the Energy Policy and Public Utilities Committee met to discuss proposed legislation that would do just that.

The Detroit News: The utility company is working with State Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton Township, to beef up laws so there are stiffer penalties for those caught hooking up shut-off utilities for a fee, land owners who are repeatedly cited or whose tenants who are repeatedly cited for energy theft, and those who attack shutoff workers. A package of bills has been crafted but not voted on.

Michigan Messenger: The proposed law states: A person who sells or transfers or attempts to sell of transfer the
product of service of an electric provider or natural gas provider to
any other person, knowing or having reason to know that the product or
service was obtained illegally, is guilty of a felony punishable by
imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than
$10,000, or both.

DTE and Consumers Energy, which serves Michiganders outside of Metro Detroit, shut off power to at least 181,000 homes in 2009. There's no figures on how many of those used illegal hookups after being shut off, but a potential $10,000 fine for each would get a pretty penny.

What do you think? Is stiffer legislation enough to keep illegal hookups at a minimum, or should other action -- like perhaps reducing rates or allowing more time to pay overdue bills -- be taken?